LED stop and tail light bulbs

GTXJim · Post by **GTXJim** » Tue Nov 18, 14 6:46 pm

Is there any benefit from replacing normal bulbs for led's this will be on my 65 Coronet, as I have a bulb out, I've read that some cars need a resister fitted? will I need to do this on an old car?

Johnny Dart · Post by **Johnny Dart** » Tue Nov 18, 14 7:06 pm

Leds have a much faster response time, ie they come on, and go off quicker that an incandescent bulb.
You won't need any alterations to your circuits,as they draw a lot less current.
only cars/trucks with ecu or bulb out warning,controlled systems, need any modification.
Old style is OK with leds.

You may not like the look of how Led bulbs operate though.
I think they look too modern, for an old car, but that's just my opinion

John · Post by **John** » Tue Nov 18, 14 7:08 pm

Steve Killer went through this a couple of years ago on here Jim but I cant remember the outcome.

Maybe worth sending him a pm or give him a call if you have his number.

shovelheadrob · Post by **shovelheadrob** » Tue Nov 18, 14 7:17 pm

My understanding is that you will need resistors or an electronic flasher module for the indicators as they need the resistance of the bulbs to flash at the correct speed, the stop & tail lights are fine.

Johnny Dart · Post by **Johnny Dart** » Tue Nov 18, 14 7:34 pm

shovelheadrob wrote:My understanding is that you will need resistors or an electronic flasher module for the indicators as they need the resistance of the bulbs to flash at the correct speed, the stop & tail lights are fine.

You're right Rob,
I didn't think it may be an indicator bulb that's blow

Prothed · Post by **Prothed** » Tue Nov 18, 14 7:47 pm

LEDs not only switch faster than filament bulbs, but the appearance is different - the light distribution is different and you need to see them once they are in place with your reflectors and lenses.
Get some off Ebay and see what you think...

For flashers, if the LED bulbs result in the flash rate being too fast then you can either fit a resistor in parallel with the bulb (crude/nasty solution) or swap the flasher relay for one that is designed for LEDs (best solution, no problem).

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Tue Nov 18, 14 9:35 pm

Nothing looks nicer in the tail lights than a normal bulb with the reflector painted white. They have a lovely warm (and even) glow to them like that.

GTXJim · Post by **GTXJim** » Tue Nov 18, 14 10:49 pm

I may just stick with normal bulbs, was just a thought, Thanks fellas

Jon Connolly · Post by **Jon Connolly** » Wed Nov 19, 14 7:05 am

Don`t know if it`s been mentioned but you need to check colours carefully

white LED behind red lens = pink

orange LED behind red lens = orange

red LED behind red lens = red

Dave999 · Post by **Dave999** » Wed Nov 19, 14 9:13 am

if you buy a decent LED bulb for the purpose you should be OK

they have the resistors necessary built in

Dave

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Wed Nov 19, 14 10:53 am

LEDs act like an "open circuit". They are high resistance. So a normal flasher circuit acts as if a bulb has blown and you get the fast flashing. So you need an electronic flasher unit to use them is all.